[HBK]

who has a record of it? Where do the papers go? Is there some database? Do we, in fact, have defacto gun registration?

[WonderNine]

You should write the serial numbers and models of your guns down in case they are stolen so that you can report it to the cops so that they don't trace a stolen murder weapon or crime scene gun back to you. I believe the gun stores keep records of your purchases for the cops. But as far as I know they don't have to turn them into the ATF for many years. So it's basically used to trace the origin of a gun. Yes, in a way, I guess we do have gun registration already.

[Greg L]

Who did you buy it from ;) ?

If you are in a state that allows private sales between individuals without a federally licenced nanny overseeing the transaction then nobody. Otherwise the FFL has a record of it and (in theory for the most part) the BATFE doesn't.

Yes, in most cases.

Greg

[WonderNine]

That's why I don't like the idea of privately transfering a gun. If the gun is misused, guess who the cops come back to.

[CGofMP]

You should write the serial numbers and models of your guns down in case they are stolen so that you can report it to the cops so that they don't trace a stolen murder weapon or crime scene gun back to you.

For those who are interested, quite some time back I put together a "Basic Firearms Datasheet" That allows you to record information about your firearms in a logical way. You may be interested in this.

It is linked about 1/3 of the way down on Charles M1 Garand Newbie Site (http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/)

or you can go directly to it here (http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/afirearmrecordsheet.html) if you want it in HTML format or here (http://www.memorableplaces.com/m1garand/afirearmrecordsheet.doc) if you would like it in Microsoft Word format.

Take care,
Charles

[Greg L]

Just because you sell/buy without a FFL overseeing the whole transaction (for a fee) that doesn't mean that you can't write down their DL#/other info on the reciept that you wrote for them.

Good faith effort shown on your part.

Greg

[HBK]

What I want to know is this: If they ban guns, do they know what I have right now?

[CGofMP]

My OPINION is that if there has ever been any official paper cut on it then YES.

Rules and regs are totally meaningless in today's mass storage era.

There are backups kept (I am sure) of all of the DOJ, FBI, NCIC, etc computers. While your info may be purged from the "active file" I am sure when Feinswine and her ilk get to the whitehouse then you will find that the data magically re-appears...

May not be 'official' but the data still exists.

Just my opinion,
Charles

[HBK]

That's what I was afraid of...:barf:

[TarpleyG]

Me to nice BATFe agent at door: "No, I'm afraid I sold all those guns some time ago. I needed money for ______________. Here are my receipts to show that I sold them.";)

Screw 'em.

GT

[TallPine]

When they come for your guns, just give them the ammunition first.

[El Tejon]

HBK, to answer your questions:

A) ATF;
B) the Title I registration center is in West, By Gawd, Virginny; Title II is in DC;
C) there is a database, but it is incomplete to say the least, since mid-90s ATF has focused on registration of individuals;
D) yes, contrary to law as to Title I, but still exists.

[Battler]

The FFL is requied to keep the yellow forms for 20 years before destroying them - or turned in to the ATF when you cancel your FFL.

The ATF has gone to much effort wandering in and photocopying them, etc.

Also, FFL headache is directly proportional to the number of outstanding yellow forms - the ever more frequent audits make them a pain to keep. One way an FFL can avoid this problem is by re-applying for a NEW FFL and giving the old yellow forms to the ATF. FFLs won't tell you that your info is being handed to the ATF every year or two; but many ARE doing it.

The yellow forms are likely micro-filmed for safe-keeping. If they're not computerised for some "easy lookup", they easily can be for future reference.

[musher]

Given the ATFE's ability to keep track of the NFA database where you are REQUIRED to submit the info directly to them, I'd be skeptical about their ability to keep track of all the regular firearms purchases.

Of course, their inability to keep good data has nothing to do with their ability to go to court and claim that their data are 100% accurate.

[Standing Wolf]

When they come for your guns, just give them the ammunition first.

Well said!

[standingbear]

each time you buy a gun through the background check,you are added to a database.when you buy from a private indiv,the trail stops unless somewhere down the line,its recovered in a crime scene.then its traced from manufacturer to ffl to original legal purchaser.who has to explain who,when and where it was sold on down the line until its found how it was found at the crime scene.same goes for selling a gun you bought legally and maybe sold later to a private indiv. for one reason or another- that person may sell it to so and so then later on down the line its recovered in a crime scene and the tracing begins..im told its either destroyed,added to a evidence room or returned to the legal owner with proof of sale.one can bet there are records somewhere of every purchase.scary thought if a certain group of firearms are banned and not grandfathered.

[TheOtherOne]

What's really strange is every single time I've bought a gun from a dealer it has mysteriously broke before I even got it home and I had to destroy it. Don't ask me, it's just plain baffling!?!